Suspect allegedly broke man's jaw at Lowell bar

LOWELL -- A 30-year-old city man was released without bail but must stay away from a downtown pub after he allegedly broke the jaw of an employee who asked him for an ID.

In Lowell District Court on Monday, Frankie Moscato, of 174 Quebec St., pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault and battery in the Friday night incident at Garcia Brogan's Cantina, Pub & Restaurant on Middlesex Street in Lowell.

Prosecutors allege that just before midnight Friday, Lowell police were called to the pub for a report of a fight. Moscato, who appeared intoxicated, was outside yelling at people and screaming vulgarities.

Inside, police found a male employee with a bloody mouth. Police were allegedly told that when the employee asked Moscato for ID, he punched the employee in the face.

The mother of the victim told police her son suffered a fractured jaw and his jaw was wired shut, prosecutors said.

While prosecutors sought $1,000 cash bail, defense attorney Peter Nicosia argued for personal recognizance, saying his client works and supports his family. Moscato has no record other than a continued-without-a-finding ruling on an assault-and-battery charge in 2005.

Nicosia told the judge "the facts are in dispute'' in this case. When reached Tuesday to elaborate, Nicosia respectfully declined.

Moscato was released on personal recognizance with a pretrial date of Aug. 22.

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